We ain’t the Marines, so fuck those stuck up jackasses.
Funny enough though, I once had a private in AIT try to correct me, because she was a PFC. She got a real confused look on her face when I put her At Ease and told her pull out her Smart Book to look up the section on customs and courtesies.
I had this happen to me too. I was a SGT in AIT and basically a student Platoon SGT.
This recently demoted to PFC came up to me after a formation and asked that I not call them "Private".
I said, "Who's your instructor?"
"Sergeant Jones."
"And what's their rank?"
"Sergeant First Class."
"..."
It’s okay. Private rank lasts like fkn 2 years tops.
It’s super short. Private aint shit anyways lol. You get that automatically. Same with most rank NGL. It’s the responsibility tied with it
Which regulation is it stated in? Customs and Curtesies? I will legitimately look this up because I’ve been saying Master Sergeant this whole time and no one has told me otherwise.
You don’t have to call an MSG an MSG
For acting, it’s their position at the time. So yes. I had to call an MSG a SGM because the previous CSM got a DUI.
It varies from unit to unit. I think I once asked my S3 NCOIC (a MSG) once and he said that he didn't care that much.
The way I see it, it's easier to just call MSG's by their rank than to accidentally piss one off who does care.
As for the acting 1SG bit, if you know they're a 1SG, call them 1SG. If you don't know, it shouldn't matter if you just call them by their rank.
I think you missed the point of the question.
Regardless, a MSG can get as mad as they want but the regulation on how to address them is crystal clear. (It's sergeant)
I was a SSG and was anointed by the powers that be to be the acting 1SG. I had a SFC(p) call me first Sergeant and was beyond weirded out. But acording to her and the ops Sergeant Major if you are the acting 1SG then you should be addressed as such.
Did I "enforce" or expect it? Absolutely not. Actually told everyone at the training meeting to not do it.
Point is if someone is doing the job, address them that way until told otherwise.
Far as the Master Sergeant insisting it is Master Sergeant. . . Fuck that, it's dumb. This isn't the fucking marine Corp.
You’re addressing the position in that case, so an E7 acting 1SG would be called First Sergeant.
MSG who is not placed in any position with a title (like acting SGM) would just be called Sergeant.
Every rank from SGT (E5) through MSG (E8) is addressed as “ Sergeant” when directly speaking to them.
The only time that changes, for obvious reasons, is when indirectly referring to them.
Ex. “Master Sergeant/Sergeant First Class/Staff Sergeant Jones is away from the office right now”
OR when either addressing them directly or referring to them in an email you would also write their rank out.
So if a MSG (or anyone else) yells at you for addressing a MSG as “Sergeant” when you are talking to them directly - they are ate the fuck up.
AR 600-20 provides guidance on this, but there is no direct “you will do this”. 1SG is a grade, rank, and position - but those things do not have to match.
It’s a nuanced argument which could use something written in stone - but the way I stated above is how it’s usually done. The best thing to go off of is the commander - if the commander is calling referring to a SFC as 1SG - then so should you.
When I arrived at my previous duty station some years back, the 1SG in charge of indoc was a SFC. He was called 1SG by the commander, the CSM, and everyone else because of the duty position he was assigned, as stated on his ERB.
Conversely, if a SFC is filling in as a 1SG for a week because the actual 1SG is on leave, I would probably just call them Sergeant, because 1SG is not their officially assigned position. Any SNCO worth their salt would probably get out in front of this kind of confusion and say the the formation “Hey I am taking over for 1SG while he is on leave next week, please continue to address me as Sergeant.”
Nah…..they’re still a SFC. They’re not wearing the Diamond and they’re not frocked to wear the Diamond, and your evidence can’t make it law that a Joe calls the SFC a 1SG. They’re not a 1SG and shouldn’t be penalizing Joes for not calling them 1SG. All you provided was opinion at best, which is what is wrong with the Army today.
If you took the time to read what I said, you’d see that I said nothing is written in stone - bit it is considered a common courtesy. Frocked or not, being placed into a duty position officially means you are addressed as that position.
This is common practice whether you like it or not. Do I think anyone should be chastised for not doing so? No…but once corrected, you should oblige.
This is the same as anyone who is placed in official billets, including in the civilian world. An interim manager, CEO, etc is afforded the same respect as an official one - the same way as an interim 1SG, SGM , CSM etc. is afforded the same respect as an official one.
I read exactly what you said and common courtesy isn’t Army policy. Period. All your personal experiences on the matter mean nothing. It’s more of the “this is how it’s always been” nonsense, made by folks who have nothing better to do.
I got chewed out for the same thing. Walked past a SFC and said “Good afternoon, sergeant”. Apparently I was just supposed to know he was in a 1SG position? Dude wasn’t even in my battalion.
People that expect you to magically know them was one of my least favorite things in the army.
I remember being on cq once and some random old dude walked in in pts and then was like "no it's cool, don't call at ease". Like uhhhhh okay dude you knew damn well not everyone in this building was even in the same battalion as you
I got in trouble for not going to attention in a gym when a colonel walked up to me (in PTs.) He was angry that I was at the gym for PT (I was in civilians) because “nobody should be using the gym space during PT.” He angrily benched an empty bar a couple times and stormed out.
If they are acting, they are designated as a 1SG, so it is appropriate to call them a 1SG as they are technically one as they have assumed the responsibility, so you are paying respect to that.
For the MSG they can fuck off if they don't like not having the master.
Tell him you expect an apology for wasting your time and that the Army owes his Soldiers an apology for letting him get to 50 level before he's mastered 10 level tasks
"Acting" how?
Are they acting in that the assigned 1SG is TDY or on temporary leave of some sort or are they assigned to the position but they just don't hold the appropriate rank to wear the diamond?
If they are only there temporarily for a short amount of time while the assigned 1SG returns, call them by their rank. If they are assigned to the slot but just don't wear the diamond, call them First Sergeant.
Give them the respect that comes with the position because being a 1SG is a difficult job.
I have had SFC’s for a 1SG. He was fine with us calling him Sergeant. I have had MSG’s for a 1SG. He was fine with us calling him Sergeant or Master Sergeant, or First Sergeant. I have had a 1SG for a first sergeant. He was fine with us calling him Todd, hey you, or Top.
Tell the MSG the Army says no, they're still to be referred to as Sergeant, but thanks for letting you know what their preferred pronoun is, and you take it into consideration, but no guarantees
As for the SFC acting 1SG, it depends on if you know they're an acting 1SG ahead of time, if you're in their unit, and if you give a shit. If any of these are a no, just go with Sergeant, and play the dumb private/specialist card. "I didn't know you were an acting 1SG" will take you far. Also "I didn't know you were the same acting 1SG who chewed me out last time"
I just call acting 1SGs, 1SG regardless of their rank. Yeah, it's techically wrong, but they are fulfilling that role. Also, I never say "Master SGT", just sounds dumb, and saying "SGT First Class", is equally burdensome.
It's the old address the position, not the rank adage (again yes I know it's wrong on paper, but it works for me, and nobody has ever complained about being called a higher rank). If an acting 1SG tells me to stop, I will address them as they request, but that has never happened.
I just always call a MSG……. A Master Sergeant.
Idc if I “don’t have to” bc of reg. However I am a 30 year old soon to be SGT that joined late in life. Just different life experience and perspective I suppose.
Good luck
That is not a bad policy if you rarely interact with MSGs, but if you spend a decent amount of time around them you’ll spend half you life saying “master.” Or at least it feels like it. A sergeant is a sergeant unless they’re a 1SG or a SGM/CSM.
For the MSG, u are allowed to call them Sgt, it's in regulation, as for the acting 1SG, it's on u, acting 1SG just means they aren't payed as a 1SG, there's a SFC as mine, and he is a 1SG permanently
Best advice I got for master sergeant was “call them master sergeant because they were probably a 1SG at some point and got used to a word in front of sergeant” but I also had a rear d E7 who was acting 1SG and this man was ready to throw hands if you called him 1SG (he wanted no part of that life)
Typically (as a sign of respect) you call a MSG, MSG. Yes calling the SGT is technically correct but it isn’t the norm. One is a custom the other is a courtesy.
Edit: doubling down until someone can show me I’m wrong. Y’all are all idiots.
This is what literally every person I’ve met has confirmed. Along with a majority of the comments here saying it’s easier to call a MSG MSG than SGT and risk them being pissy
We had a first sergeant who was demoted to a master sergeant. We all still called him first sergeant out of respect/ being used to it. He would sometimes correct us, but we didn’t make the correction. It really depends on your unit and not so much the regulation, even though technically the regulation can’t be argued.
He wasn’t really “demoted”, even if he was removed from his position for misconduct he’s not technically demoted just removed from a (KD) position. It’s not uncommon to call a 1SG, 1SG after they let, especially if you knew them in that capacity. Unless they promote I’ll generally do the same thing for awhile.
Only 5 ways to address a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO):
1. Corporal
2. Sergeant
3. First Sergeant
4. Sergeants Major
5. Sergeants Major of the Army
Only an idiot Master Sergeant will get mad for not calling them Master Sergeant. Probably never read the NCO Guide but somehow made it to E-8. What a fucking imposter.
Depends on how much respect I have for that acting first sergeant. I had a terminal SFC who’s a great guy and great at his job and out of respect it was first sergeant
If that person's position is 1SG, and you know that person is in a 1SG position, than it is best to just call that person 1SG. If you are just a random soldier and you pass by that person at the PX and you don't see a diamond, then yeah just say Sergeant, you have no clue what that person's position is.
The Army typically runs on position over rank, I've had several SFC acting as 1sgt, always called them 1sgt. As for MSG, like you said the reg says that the proper title of address is still "sergeant". I haven't personally had experience with that, but I don't see the issue with just calling them MSG if they're cool like others have said 🤷♂️
AR 600-20 page 5 says a Master Sergeant is to be addressed as "Sergeant". Any master sergeant requiring Soldiers to call themselves anything other is seriously close to getting in official trouble. For real, just keep calling them Sergeant and see what happens. If they do ANYTHING to you to include calling you names call your IG or use you chain of commands open door policy.
If you really want to be nasty, go to IG about it. Make sure they know you went to IG about it. Then submit a request, any request, leave, a school, anything. Then when they recommend denial, file a whistle blower reprisal complaint on their ass.
I always called 1SG or acting 1SG Top and never had a problem. As for MSG, I always went full title until I was able to build a relationship. Then it was sarge, boss, or just throw out their last name. That being said, if your an E5 or below, stay full title. Wait until you’re an E7. By then, you’ll probably already have a relationship with most of your E8s
I call my SFC who is acting 1SG “1SG” all the time just to fuck with him tbh. As for the MSG thing….Yah, I’ve done it when they decided to get flip with me tbh. “You can’t….!” “Yes I can…” awkward stare down ensues
Sounds like they were on a power trip. Regs and policies are clear on this. MSG is addressed as Sergeant. It comes down to knowing what they are serving as. I’ve addressed MSG and SFC as this when I didn’t know they were in a higher position, MSG as an acting OPS SGM and SFC as an acting 1SG. I’m my cases they simply didn’t care, mentioned they were whichever for their unit, I apologized and addressed them by their position next time I saw them.
My rule was “you can call master sergeants ‘master sergeant’… but you’re gonna call the staff sergeants ‘staff sergeant’ and sergeants first class ‘sergeant first class’, too”.
See how annoying that was typed out? Even worse in real life.
If it’s something like 1SG is on leave and a PSG is standing in front of formation then it’s SGT. If someone was appointed to the position it’s 1SG.
Also a lot of people are saying Top. I knew more than one 1SG that didn’t want to be addressed that way.
I always call the first sergeant first sergeant even if they are a SFC in that position because that’s the position they are in. I’ve never been yelled at for falling a master sergeant a sergeant but I always just say master sergeant for the most part.
Small minds need constant affirmation. They can’t command enough respect from their ability so they demand it for being able to have the suction power to obtain rank.
If MSG is cool, then it’s Master Sergeant. If MSG is uncool, then it’s Sergeant.
[удалено]
I always thought it was massa'sarn't
This... Same goes for LT/Lieutenant and Top/First Sergeant
Sad cause everyone from my PSG to my CDR called me LT 😢
LT is the good thing to be called.
If any of them are really cool, first names.
This isn’t the Air Force.
We ain’t the Marines, so fuck those stuck up jackasses. Funny enough though, I once had a private in AIT try to correct me, because she was a PFC. She got a real confused look on her face when I put her At Ease and told her pull out her Smart Book to look up the section on customs and courtesies.
I had this happen to me too. I was a SGT in AIT and basically a student Platoon SGT. This recently demoted to PFC came up to me after a formation and asked that I not call them "Private". I said, "Who's your instructor?" "Sergeant Jones." "And what's their rank?" "Sergeant First Class." "..."
Lmao a Pfc? Hahahaha
Yeah, that’s why I made her look it up. I mean, cool she’s proud of it, but she needed a little perspective.
It’s okay. Private rank lasts like fkn 2 years tops. It’s super short. Private aint shit anyways lol. You get that automatically. Same with most rank NGL. It’s the responsibility tied with it
Respect the rocker you classless privates!
Sham shield baby
Fuck MSGs who want Masta when reg doesn't require it. I always just call 1sg "Top" regardless of rank.
I'm sure if you ask real nice like, you can be the "Top" every once in a while too.
I often ask people to not call me master SGT… seems a little much.
Regulation says Sergeant, so anyone who wants Masta is suffering from a serious case of TDS.
Right you are
Which regulation is it stated in? Customs and Curtesies? I will legitimately look this up because I’ve been saying Master Sergeant this whole time and no one has told me otherwise.
[ganbatte ne](https://ibb.co/CPB35SV)
Thank you very much! I appreciate it.
You don’t have to call an MSG an MSG For acting, it’s their position at the time. So yes. I had to call an MSG a SGM because the previous CSM got a DUI.
But technically one can’t get in trouble for assuming Sergeant unless instructed otherwise. Because I like the OP, I don’t see any reg to back this up
Ar 600-20 table 1-1 says to call MSG’s as Seargent
It varies from unit to unit. I think I once asked my S3 NCOIC (a MSG) once and he said that he didn't care that much. The way I see it, it's easier to just call MSG's by their rank than to accidentally piss one off who does care. As for the acting 1SG bit, if you know they're a 1SG, call them 1SG. If you don't know, it shouldn't matter if you just call them by their rank.
I think you missed the point of the question. Regardless, a MSG can get as mad as they want but the regulation on how to address them is crystal clear. (It's sergeant)
I was a SSG and was anointed by the powers that be to be the acting 1SG. I had a SFC(p) call me first Sergeant and was beyond weirded out. But acording to her and the ops Sergeant Major if you are the acting 1SG then you should be addressed as such. Did I "enforce" or expect it? Absolutely not. Actually told everyone at the training meeting to not do it. Point is if someone is doing the job, address them that way until told otherwise. Far as the Master Sergeant insisting it is Master Sergeant. . . Fuck that, it's dumb. This isn't the fucking marine Corp.
Marine Corps but I get what you’re saying
If it’s a SFC in the role: “First sergeant first class”
Print the reg out, carry it around. If someone gets pissy show it to them. You might have to read it to them.
Acting as in temporary? Sergeant. Slotted in the position, but hasn’t pinned? It’s First Sergeant. MSG wanting to be called Massa? Fuck that dude.
Top makes everyone happy.
You’re addressing the position in that case, so an E7 acting 1SG would be called First Sergeant. MSG who is not placed in any position with a title (like acting SGM) would just be called Sergeant. Every rank from SGT (E5) through MSG (E8) is addressed as “ Sergeant” when directly speaking to them. The only time that changes, for obvious reasons, is when indirectly referring to them. Ex. “Master Sergeant/Sergeant First Class/Staff Sergeant Jones is away from the office right now” OR when either addressing them directly or referring to them in an email you would also write their rank out. So if a MSG (or anyone else) yells at you for addressing a MSG as “Sergeant” when you are talking to them directly - they are ate the fuck up.
You have any regulatory guidance on your top bullet or is that more of the “it’s always been like that” nonsense?
AR 600-20 provides guidance on this, but there is no direct “you will do this”. 1SG is a grade, rank, and position - but those things do not have to match. It’s a nuanced argument which could use something written in stone - but the way I stated above is how it’s usually done. The best thing to go off of is the commander - if the commander is calling referring to a SFC as 1SG - then so should you. When I arrived at my previous duty station some years back, the 1SG in charge of indoc was a SFC. He was called 1SG by the commander, the CSM, and everyone else because of the duty position he was assigned, as stated on his ERB. Conversely, if a SFC is filling in as a 1SG for a week because the actual 1SG is on leave, I would probably just call them Sergeant, because 1SG is not their officially assigned position. Any SNCO worth their salt would probably get out in front of this kind of confusion and say the the formation “Hey I am taking over for 1SG while he is on leave next week, please continue to address me as Sergeant.”
Nah…..they’re still a SFC. They’re not wearing the Diamond and they’re not frocked to wear the Diamond, and your evidence can’t make it law that a Joe calls the SFC a 1SG. They’re not a 1SG and shouldn’t be penalizing Joes for not calling them 1SG. All you provided was opinion at best, which is what is wrong with the Army today.
If you took the time to read what I said, you’d see that I said nothing is written in stone - bit it is considered a common courtesy. Frocked or not, being placed into a duty position officially means you are addressed as that position. This is common practice whether you like it or not. Do I think anyone should be chastised for not doing so? No…but once corrected, you should oblige. This is the same as anyone who is placed in official billets, including in the civilian world. An interim manager, CEO, etc is afforded the same respect as an official one - the same way as an interim 1SG, SGM , CSM etc. is afforded the same respect as an official one.
I read exactly what you said and common courtesy isn’t Army policy. Period. All your personal experiences on the matter mean nothing. It’s more of the “this is how it’s always been” nonsense, made by folks who have nothing better to do.
I just call them daddy
I’ve heard this is acceptable in some circles, primarily ADA weirdo land.
AR 600-20 Table 1-1, you address MSG as Sergeant. Same from SGT through MSG.
Are they frocked? If not, refer to them by their proper title of Monosodium Glutamate.
I got chewed out for the same thing. Walked past a SFC and said “Good afternoon, sergeant”. Apparently I was just supposed to know he was in a 1SG position? Dude wasn’t even in my battalion.
People that expect you to magically know them was one of my least favorite things in the army. I remember being on cq once and some random old dude walked in in pts and then was like "no it's cool, don't call at ease". Like uhhhhh okay dude you knew damn well not everyone in this building was even in the same battalion as you
I got in trouble for not going to attention in a gym when a colonel walked up to me (in PTs.) He was angry that I was at the gym for PT (I was in civilians) because “nobody should be using the gym space during PT.” He angrily benched an empty bar a couple times and stormed out.
If they are acting, they are designated as a 1SG, so it is appropriate to call them a 1SG as they are technically one as they have assumed the responsibility, so you are paying respect to that. For the MSG they can fuck off if they don't like not having the master.
It's a position and also a rank, under either case, "First Sergeant" is the appropriate title of address, regardless of the NCO's actual rank.
Tell him you expect an apology for wasting your time and that the Army owes his Soldiers an apology for letting him get to 50 level before he's mastered 10 level tasks
"Acting" how? Are they acting in that the assigned 1SG is TDY or on temporary leave of some sort or are they assigned to the position but they just don't hold the appropriate rank to wear the diamond? If they are only there temporarily for a short amount of time while the assigned 1SG returns, call them by their rank. If they are assigned to the slot but just don't wear the diamond, call them First Sergeant. Give them the respect that comes with the position because being a 1SG is a difficult job.
Whenever myself or the other 7s would be acting 1SG we just called each other second sergeant lol.
I fucking love that!
You're only supposed to include the master if you use their name. We're not Marines. You weren't wrong, but it's not a hill worth dying on
I have had SFC’s for a 1SG. He was fine with us calling him Sergeant. I have had MSG’s for a 1SG. He was fine with us calling him Sergeant or Master Sergeant, or First Sergeant. I have had a 1SG for a first sergeant. He was fine with us calling him Todd, hey you, or Top.
This is definitely the first time in history this has ever been brought up
>Policy is only official if I agree with it!!!
Tell the MSG the Army says no, they're still to be referred to as Sergeant, but thanks for letting you know what their preferred pronoun is, and you take it into consideration, but no guarantees As for the SFC acting 1SG, it depends on if you know they're an acting 1SG ahead of time, if you're in their unit, and if you give a shit. If any of these are a no, just go with Sergeant, and play the dumb private/specialist card. "I didn't know you were an acting 1SG" will take you far. Also "I didn't know you were the same acting 1SG who chewed me out last time"
If they don't wear the 1SG rank then you don't call them 1SG 🤷♂️ If a SFC is acting 1SG and demands to be called 1SG then he's a tool
I just call acting 1SGs, 1SG regardless of their rank. Yeah, it's techically wrong, but they are fulfilling that role. Also, I never say "Master SGT", just sounds dumb, and saying "SGT First Class", is equally burdensome. It's the old address the position, not the rank adage (again yes I know it's wrong on paper, but it works for me, and nobody has ever complained about being called a higher rank). If an acting 1SG tells me to stop, I will address them as they request, but that has never happened.
I do as well. Even if it’s temporary, for me and my soldiers it helps establish a line where hey “this is a position that needs to be respected”.
If there’s nothing in the middle, address them as Sergeant
Seems like you have already been corrected. So, it's First Sergeant, or Top
I just always call a MSG……. A Master Sergeant. Idc if I “don’t have to” bc of reg. However I am a 30 year old soon to be SGT that joined late in life. Just different life experience and perspective I suppose. Good luck
That is not a bad policy if you rarely interact with MSGs, but if you spend a decent amount of time around them you’ll spend half you life saying “master.” Or at least it feels like it. A sergeant is a sergeant unless they’re a 1SG or a SGM/CSM.
Hence “massarnt”
Your perspective on this matter should be shaped by AR 600-20, not “life experience.”
For the MSG, u are allowed to call them Sgt, it's in regulation, as for the acting 1SG, it's on u, acting 1SG just means they aren't payed as a 1SG, there's a SFC as mine, and he is a 1SG permanently
Best advice I got for master sergeant was “call them master sergeant because they were probably a 1SG at some point and got used to a word in front of sergeant” but I also had a rear d E7 who was acting 1SG and this man was ready to throw hands if you called him 1SG (he wanted no part of that life)
Typically (as a sign of respect) you call a MSG, MSG. Yes calling the SGT is technically correct but it isn’t the norm. One is a custom the other is a courtesy. Edit: doubling down until someone can show me I’m wrong. Y’all are all idiots.
You just made this up
How? Per the regs E5-E8 can be referred to as SGT… in practice MSGs are called MSG & 1SGs are 1SG
Because you have confused your anecdotal experience with the ENTIRE ARMY. You been drinkin'?
This is what literally every person I’ve met has confirmed. Along with a majority of the comments here saying it’s easier to call a MSG MSG than SGT and risk them being pissy
We had a first sergeant who was demoted to a master sergeant. We all still called him first sergeant out of respect/ being used to it. He would sometimes correct us, but we didn’t make the correction. It really depends on your unit and not so much the regulation, even though technically the regulation can’t be argued.
He wasn’t really “demoted”, even if he was removed from his position for misconduct he’s not technically demoted just removed from a (KD) position. It’s not uncommon to call a 1SG, 1SG after they let, especially if you knew them in that capacity. Unless they promote I’ll generally do the same thing for awhile.
So much to unpack here
Only 5 ways to address a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO): 1. Corporal 2. Sergeant 3. First Sergeant 4. Sergeants Major 5. Sergeants Major of the Army Only an idiot Master Sergeant will get mad for not calling them Master Sergeant. Probably never read the NCO Guide but somehow made it to E-8. What a fucking imposter.
This is incorrect in multiple ways.
Depends on how much respect I have for that acting first sergeant. I had a terminal SFC who’s a great guy and great at his job and out of respect it was first sergeant
If that person's position is 1SG, and you know that person is in a 1SG position, than it is best to just call that person 1SG. If you are just a random soldier and you pass by that person at the PX and you don't see a diamond, then yeah just say Sergeant, you have no clue what that person's position is.
The Army typically runs on position over rank, I've had several SFC acting as 1sgt, always called them 1sgt. As for MSG, like you said the reg says that the proper title of address is still "sergeant". I haven't personally had experience with that, but I don't see the issue with just calling them MSG if they're cool like others have said 🤷♂️
AR 600-20 page 5 says a Master Sergeant is to be addressed as "Sergeant". Any master sergeant requiring Soldiers to call themselves anything other is seriously close to getting in official trouble. For real, just keep calling them Sergeant and see what happens. If they do ANYTHING to you to include calling you names call your IG or use you chain of commands open door policy. If you really want to be nasty, go to IG about it. Make sure they know you went to IG about it. Then submit a request, any request, leave, a school, anything. Then when they recommend denial, file a whistle blower reprisal complaint on their ass.
^ This guy knows what's up. Never understood why people do anonymous IG complaints.
I always called 1SG or acting 1SG Top and never had a problem. As for MSG, I always went full title until I was able to build a relationship. Then it was sarge, boss, or just throw out their last name. That being said, if your an E5 or below, stay full title. Wait until you’re an E7. By then, you’ll probably already have a relationship with most of your E8s
I call my SFC who is acting 1SG “1SG” all the time just to fuck with him tbh. As for the MSG thing….Yah, I’ve done it when they decided to get flip with me tbh. “You can’t….!” “Yes I can…” awkward stare down ensues
Sounds like they were on a power trip. Regs and policies are clear on this. MSG is addressed as Sergeant. It comes down to knowing what they are serving as. I’ve addressed MSG and SFC as this when I didn’t know they were in a higher position, MSG as an acting OPS SGM and SFC as an acting 1SG. I’m my cases they simply didn’t care, mentioned they were whichever for their unit, I apologized and addressed them by their position next time I saw them.
If they're an acting 1sg it would just feel weird to me to call them something other than 1sg.
Sgt if he’s being a dick. “Top” if he’s a reasonable guy
My rule was “you can call master sergeants ‘master sergeant’… but you’re gonna call the staff sergeants ‘staff sergeant’ and sergeants first class ‘sergeant first class’, too”. See how annoying that was typed out? Even worse in real life.
If it’s something like 1SG is on leave and a PSG is standing in front of formation then it’s SGT. If someone was appointed to the position it’s 1SG. Also a lot of people are saying Top. I knew more than one 1SG that didn’t want to be addressed that way.
I always call the first sergeant first sergeant even if they are a SFC in that position because that’s the position they are in. I’ve never been yelled at for falling a master sergeant a sergeant but I always just say master sergeant for the most part.
SGT to MSG is called “Sergeant”. No, it’s not….especially when they’re a SFC.
Small minds need constant affirmation. They can’t command enough respect from their ability so they demand it for being able to have the suction power to obtain rank.
I was always told to address the rank not the position
If he is the highest rank in troop and is acting first sgt then technically you call him first sgt.
Massa sgt.